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“Do you have any more mint chocolate chip ice cream?” I ask, settling on the couch.

“Middle,” Gray grunts, jutting his chin at me to make me move. Ugh, I guess this is a group activity. Fine.

Scooting over to the middle of the couch, I roll my eyes as Gray and Sidney sandwich me between them, and I can hear popcorn heating up. I guess Andrya decided that she wanted some.

Firing up the computer, I open the app that tracks Silla through her bracelet.

“They just got in the car,” Sidney grunts, leaning against the couch cushions.

“Ice cream, Ayden,” my sister says shortly as I raise my eyes. She’s standing there with a bowl and I grin in thanks as I take it.

Maybe we can put together a club or something: The Growly Mates. I’ll be sure to work on that.

SILLA

Kenzo is a perfect gentleman the entire drive to his house. Apparently he lives ten minutes outside of the city.

“Does Kal live with you?” I ask, realizing that I have no idea. Damn, I’m kind of terrible. I don’t want to use the excuse that my life is a shit show, even though it’s true.

“He does, but I haven’t seen him much today. I think I pissed him off yesterday, so he may have fucked off to a friend’s house.” He shrugs. “We still butt heads occasionally, since we had very different upbringings. I found him when he was fourteen, and that’s when he came to live with me. I have this big brother mentality that often moonlights as a daddy complex.” Realizing what he said, he flushes. “I didn’t mean it like that, Mistress.”

“I know what you meant,” I reassure him. “I think there’s a fine line between being a parent and a sibling. It sounds like sometimes Kal gets overwhelmed.”

“That’s exactly it.” He sighs. “So it’s just us tonight. I texted him, but he didn’t respond. That’s also not out of the ordinary. I wish he’d text me since we are moving on the queen in four days, but sometimes he’s a real asshole.”

My lips twitch at the sentiment.

“I’ve been working on my weapons training with Sidney, and I think it’s going well,” I confess to him. I’m nervous about going to the castle for dinner.

“Yeah? I may be a pacifist to a fault, but everyone who works for the Underground has basic weapons training. I work with each new recruit to make sure they can handle themselves and the dangers present, especially after Cinder started sending her spies to infiltrate. It’s the reason that they were found hog-tied and gagged at the gates of the castle. I would be doing this movement a disservice if I didn’t expect it would come to violence. I am just a lot more motivated now that you’re involved.”

Biting my lip, an idea comes to me, and for the first time in forever, I speak without overthinking it. “Do you maybe want to train with us? Sidney and I are going to spar with knives tomorrow,” I explain.

“Yes,” Kenzo says immediately, turning onto a dirt road. “Are you expecting things to be bad at the castle?”

“Yeah, I am.” I sigh. “The way Cinder talked about Charming and how much I’ll dislike what he wants from me…” I shiver, disgusted with the conversation. “I want to plan for every eventuality. My hair pins will be dipped in poison that will kill immediately, so I’m practicing my throwing skills as well. Honestly, shoving it in someone’s throat is probably the best I can ask for.”

“So bloodthirsty, Mistress. It’s really fucking hot,” he mutters.

I smirk, looking up as I see a house appear down a long driveway on the right hand side. Kenzo turns into it, and my lips part in surprise. The place reminds me of a house in a fairytale. Moss covers the walls of the home, and there are bay windows that are the focal point. It’s absolutely breathtaking.

“Wow,” I whisper. “This is beautiful, Kenzo.”

He glances at me, a smile lighting up his face. “I love the way my name sounds on your lips. Please use it more when we’re together alone.”

“Yes, Pet,” I promise.

“Mistress,” he breathes as he parks the car. “If you keep flirting with me, we won’t make it inside.”

It doesn’t escape my notice that he’s wearing the collar that Sidney and I gave him, so I nod, taking off my seatbelt. Kenzo is off like a flash, racing around the car to open the door. Fucking swoon. So damn sexy.

“Mistress,” he says, holding his hand out for me to take. His gaze feels like he’s eating me alive as he watches me get out of the car. “I can barely wait, get inside of the house, Beautiful.”

The door slams behind me, and he locks the car as we walk toward the house. Kenzo ushers me inside, being sure to lock the door.

“Let me get your coat,” he murmurs, his voice almost a growl. My pussy spasms around nothing, and I bite back a whimper.Down girl. Are we really going to sleep with him on the first date?

I remember who I am, and almost laugh at how silly that is. My life is filled with a thousand impossible things to believe before breakfast, so if the opportunity presents itself, I’ll take it.